Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has been the talk of the NFL’s first week of preseason after his cease-and-desist letter to the LSU Tigers went viral. Daniels reportedly asked the Tigers to return their copy of the Heisman Trophy he won in 2023 amid a feud over his No. 5 jersey being worn by cornerback DJ Pickett.
Paul Finebaum Blasts Jayden Daniels for Ruining LSU Relationship
During Friday’s segment of “The Sports Junkies” on 106.7 The Fan, outspoken SEC analyst Paul Finebaum gave a brutal assessment of Daniels’ standing in Baton Rouge.
“I’ve rarely, if ever, seen a dumber, more senseless move,” Finebaum said. “I don’t know who pulled the strings, but all the ‘clean up on aisle 3’ from Jayden Daniels from this moment on will not be enough. He has made a terrible mistake. He can be successful in Washington. I hope he is. But I would advise him to never waste another second in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, because they are done with him.”
Daniels joined LSU in 2022 after three seasons at Arizona State. He won the Tigers’ QB1 role in his first season and led the team to a 9-3 regular-season record (10-3 including a bowl win).
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The polarizing Daniels had his best season in Baton Rouge in 2023, registering 3,812 passing yards on 72.2% completion, 40 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, adding 1,134 rushing yards and 10 scores. He won several individual awards, including the SEC Offensive Player of the Year Award and the Heisman Trophy.
According to PFN’s CFB QB Impact Metric, Daniels posted an impact score of 99.4 in 2023, ranking as the highest-rated quarterback since the 2019 season.
LSU has had three Heisman Trophy winners in its illustrious history, including Billy Cannon in 1959, Joe Burrow in 2019, and Daniels in 2023. After leading the Tigers to a spectacular unbeaten season, including the national championship, Burrow’s No. 9 jersey has never been worn since his historic year in Baton Rouge.
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On the other hand, former LSU coach Brian Kelly promised Pickett the No. 5 jersey during the cornerback’s recruitment, and coach Lane Kiffin has stated his intention to keep that promise.
Later in the segment, Finebaum revealed that Daniels would receive a chilly reception were he to return to Baton Rouge for a game.
“I think it would be chillier than inauguration day at the nation’s capital,” Finebaum said. “I think it’s one thing if there was a misunderstanding. Then the report came out yesterday about the cease-and-desist and giving the trophy back; that’s just pure stupidity.”
According to LSU bylaws, a retired jersey can still be used at the head coach’s discretion. Only five jerseys in program history have been retired, though none of the five retired numbers, including Cannon’s, are permanently barred from reissue.
